Institute for Justice

John Rinaldi

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A successful entrepreneur is always seizing new and innovative ways to expand their business—and John Rinaldi is no exception. He started Green Cab, a nontraditional taxicab company that combines cutting-edge dispatching technology, eco-friendly Priuses and a staff of friendly drivers. Add rides that cost $3-a-head and you can see why the company took off in college towns across Ohio. But when John tried to expand to nearby Bowling Green, he ran into a major roadblock: the Bowling Green government. The city had literally made it impossible to start a taxi company. City law said only 16 taxi permits were allowed and it was illegal to issue any more. Even worse, the city government owned almost half of the taxi permits. John was shut out before he could even open. With IJ’s help, he challenged the law and it did not take long for the city to see the writing on the wall. Within days of filing suit, Bowling Green officials acknowledged the taxi cap was outdated and within weeks, repealed the cap entirely. John was thrilled and opened Green Cab soon after the cap was lifted. Green Cab is now in high demand by both students and locals.

It is unconstitutional for the government to use its power to protect itself and other established businesses from competition. That is why Green Cab has partnered with the Institute for Justice (“IJ”) to challenge Bowling Green’s unconstitutional taxicab cap.